William D. Funkhouser’s deep interest in Kentucky’s prehistoric native peoples and their artifacts and sites brought him to Pine Mountain Settlement School in 1923, soon after the discovery by a student of the Indian Cliff Dwelling on the School’s property. The School staff, sensing the archaeological value of the Cliff Dwelling, summoned Professor Funkhouser, a zoologist at the University of Kentucky (UK) recruited Dr. Arthur M. Miller, a UK geologist, and Victor K. Dodge, a businessman. The two latter men shared Dr. Funkhouser’s interest in anthropology and archaeology and all were knowledgeable in excavating Native American sites in a systematic manner.

Soon after the Cliff Dwelling excavation, Funkhouser and his colleagues, under the guidance of Professor William S. Webb, shaped the first Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at UK, gaining departmental status in 1926. The Department of Anthropology’s history page on the university’s website celebrated its 90th Anniversary in 2016, stating, “Much of what is known about Kentucky’s prehistory is a result of Webb and Funkhouser’s early efforts.”

Funkhouser described his work at Pine Mountain in a short summary found in the important work, Ancient Life in Kentucky: A Brief Presentation of the Paleontological Succession in Kentucky Coupled with a Systematic Outline of the Archaeology of the Commonwealth, co-edited with William S. Webb in 1928 and considered a seminal work on Kentucky archaeology.

WILLIAM D. FUNKHOUSER Visitor: Background

William Delbert Funkhouser was born in Rockport, Indiana, on March 13, 1881, the first child of Hugh C. Funkhouser, a piano salesman, and Laura J. Funkhouser. As of the 1900 U.S. Census, he had three brothers and two sisters.

After graduating with honors from Wabash College in 1905 and teaching in high schools, he earned an M.A. degree in 1912 and a Ph.d. from Cornell University in 1916. He married Josephine Kinney Funkhouser (1881-1972).

In 1918 Funkhouser became a professor of zoology and the head of the Department of Zoology at the University of Kentucky (UK). He held that position for the rest of his life. He also became a professor in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology after he and Webb had established that department. From 1925 he served as dean of UK’s Graduate School.

He was a prolific writer on subjects in his fields of interest. According to his obituary in AAAS Science Magazine, he produced 327 publications. In addition, he received numerous honors and held memberships and offices in learned societies. The Science obituary described him as well-liked by all those who were associated with him, including two generations of students, who appreciated his easygoing way of presenting deeply engaging lectures.

William D. Funkhouser died in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 9, 1948. He and his wife are buried in the Lexington (KY) Cemetery.

Any display, publication or public use must credit the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Donor

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Description

Core documents, correspondence, writings and administrative papers created by or addressed to William D. Funkhouser ; clippings, photographs, publications, illustrations by or about William D. Funkhouser.

William D. Funkhouser was a prolific writer, having produced 327 publications. Go to INDIAN CLIFF DWELLING for a partial listing of his papers and books.

Funkhouser, William D, and William S. Webb. Ancient Life in Kentucky: A Brief Presentation of the Paleontological Successionin Kentucky Coupled with a Systematic Outline of the Archaeologyof the Commonwealth. Frankfort, Ky: The Kentucky Geological Survey, 1928. Print.